Colorado fires threaten OCA Monastery

On Tuesday morning, June 11, 2002, the Office of Communications of the Orthodox Church in America received word that the fires burning throughout the state of Colorado are threatening the Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery here.

Mother Cassiana, Superior of the monastic community, was packing religious and personal items in preparation for a complete evacuation of the monastic grounds, reported His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco, in whose diocese the monastery exists. He added that when he spoke with Mother Cassiana, the fire was reportedly only five miles from the monastery.

“Established in 1993, the monastery is home to several nuns, who over the years have labored to not only build a strong Orthodox community, but have built a physical complex that includes a beautiful chapel, quarters for the nuns, guest rooms, and a refectory,” according to the Very Rev. John Matusiak, OCA Communications Director. “Should the fire reach the monastery, it would be a tremendous loss, not only for the monastic community, but for the many faithful who regularly visit and support the monastery.”

The faithful of the Church are asked to pray fervently, that the monastery may be spared.

Mother Cassiana has requested that no phonecalls be directed to the Monastery at this time. Further updates will be posted on the OCA web site at http://www.oca.org as additional reports are received.